Plus links to related content in AC Weekly's second annual Then and Now special issue.
Atlantic City Weekly took a stroll down memory lane with local historians and members of the community to see just how much has changed in the Atlantic City region with regard to certain aspects of the city and surrounding areas. Our interviewees, who all grew up in or around Atlantic City, share their memories of the city’s past and offer varied points of view concerning Atlantic City’s best times and its outlook for the future. Re-visit and re-imagine Atlantic City as you read these interviews throughout the pages of this special “Then & Now” issue. And remember the city that at some point or another stole many a hearts, for some forever. — Katarina Corda
Additionally, click on the links below to read more from this week's Then & Now Special
Issue:
Click here to read a correlation between the real-life Nucky Johnson and the Nucky Thompson depicted on Boardwalk Empire.
Click here to read about a history of Atlantic City in songs.
Click here to read about Atlantic City on film, then and now.
Click here to read about Atlantic City's Inlet district, past and present.
Click here to read more about the Pine Barrens.
Herb Stein, 85
Volunteer amateur-historian at the A.C. Historical Museum
Current Residence: Longport
Were you born in A.C.?
No, I was not born in A.C., but I lived in Atlantic City ever since I was 8 or 9 years old. We lived on South. Maryland Ave. My family was involved in a beauty shop and we lived in the apartment above the shop. During the war years, we moved to S. Georgia Ave.
What are some of your fondest childhood memories in the resort town?
There was nothing better to do as a child than to go to Steel Pier. I’d bring 25 or 50 cents, maybe $1 and spend the whole day there. They had all the big movies, entertainers, and big bands. I saw Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, and the Beatles in person. I have a lot of fond memories of Atlantic City High School. There was dancing in the gym during lunch time; two or three musicians would play. That’s where I met my wife, she was in my same class. We’ve been married for 64 years now. Atlantic City was a great place to grow up.
What in your opinion was A.C.’s greatest time period?
The late 30s, 40s, and 50s. During that time, there was a spirit that this was a great town. People were enjoying it. It was a great town to live in, to be in business, to raise a family. Atlantic City was pretty well respected.
What do you think A.C. needs to do now to get back to its roots as a major tourist attraction in the US?
I think the city needs to diversify its attractions to include more things in the entertainment world and to emphasize other art organizations. The city needs to create more family-oriented attractions. It also needs to be cleaned up and made safer.
Do you watch Boardwalk Empire? How does it compare to the real history?
Yes, I do watch the show. There is a certain element of history in it, about 25-30%. It’s interesting to see the backgrounds/scenery of old A.C. But the rest is fiction. The show’s function is not to tell Atlantic City’s history though. It’s to entertain, and the show is very entertaining.
John Nieveen, 71
Transportation historian
Current Residence: Ocean City
Were you born in A.C.?
No, but I visited for decades.
What were some of your fondest childhood memories in the resort town?
Going to Steel Pier; seeing Paul Anka in-person when I was 16. I loved to listen to the polka music WLB broadcast from the Senator Hotel. I loved going into the hotels that were around then, the Shelburne, the Dennis, the Marlborough-Blenheim, the Traymore. I enjoyed many great meals in A.C.; I dined at Captain Starn’s and Hackney’s.
What in your opinion was A.C.’s greatest time period?
Between 1954 and 1972 (up until the Casinos came). The hotel restaurants served wonderful meals. I remember riding a trolley car to have dinner at Captain Starn’s. I only rode the trolley a couple of times, but I loved it.
What do you think A.C. needs to do now to get back to its roots as a major tourist attraction in the US?
I don’t think anything today could replace what Atlantic City used to be. I don’t think they could do anything to bring back the grandeur it once had.
Who is your Atlantic City hero and why?
Seymour “Pinky” Kravitz, I love his devotion to A.C. Radio commentators Ed and Helen Davis; I knew them well and I had great respect for them. Joseph Hamilton, former president of Atlantic City Transportation Company, for donating old records of the A.C. and Shore railroads.
What’s one of the best times you had in A.C.?
The Miss America Pageant is coming back home to Atlantic City in 2013, but it may not be the Miss America Pageant of old. In an exclusive interview with Atlantic City Weekly, the organization's CEO Art McMaster says a date for the pageant should be set within a week or so. Are there more changes in store for this year's pageant?
The Catanoso brothers were already seasoned amusement-park veterans when they reopened Atlantic City’s Steel Pier with 14 rides in 1993, a scant 22 days after signing a five-year lease that extended to the year the famous Pier turned 100.
Bell on opening up for Van Halen, new music and video projects, his mid-'60s band the Jazziacs, which played Atlantic City's jazz clubs at the time, and his legendary Godfather.
For past interviews, photo galleries, your favorite columns, features and more, check out the Atlantic City Weekly archives where you can read every back issue over the past 11 years!
“The Academy was founded with the intent of meeting the needs of the casino industry. And that was a pretty big investment for the college."
Seeds for the Sixers’ successful ‘66-’67 season planted in Margate
Two and half decades prior to the Atlantic City depicted in Boardwalk Empire, our region’s original dining dynasty began. Harry “Dock” Dougherty opened the doors of his eponymous seafood house, Dock’s Oyster House, at 2405 Atlantic Ave., in 1897.
From the early days of the city through the 1950s, the Inlet was a solid working-class neighborhood buttressed by summer rentals and home to many of the city’s workers.
“There was no crime in Atlantic City — they [the “organization”] took care of crime,” says local resident Richard Black, whose grandfather was a law enforcement official at the time.
Think about it — our nation was still engaged in the Civil War when Renault first opened its doors in Egg Harbor City. By 1870 he had introduced his New Jersey Champagne. Renault Winery soon won prizes for its wines and became the largest distributor of champagne in the United States.
Article:
A.C. Library, Stockton College Celebrate Black History Month
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Local History: 'Boardwalk Empire'
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Entertainment: Music, Film and Sports
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The African-American Experience in Atlantic City
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Old Atlantic City: Pre-Gaming Era
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Atlantic City's Casino Era
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Tribute to Tony Mart’s
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Houdini, Sir Doyle Do AC
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